A New Mission: Journey to Kirigakure

As Orochimaru spread out the scroll, Ao silently activated his Sharingan, memorizing every detail written upon it.

He immediately understood the purpose of the Kunai left behind by Senju Tobirama.

At the same time, he grasped the subject of Senju Tobirama's final experiment: the manuscript of the forbidden Impure World Reincarnation jutsu currently in Orochimaru's hands.

Judging by the manuscript, this jutsu was not yet perfected.

However, based on the presence of this Kunai and Orochimaru's attitude, it seemed likely that Senju Tobirama had actually completed the technique.

The fact that he had never deployed it during the Ninja World War caused Orochimaru's composure to slip.

Ao noticed that the scroll contained extensive research notes by Senju Tobirama regarding the nature of the soul.

The most critical point—the Soul Recall Jutsu—was derived from the Uzumaki Clan's forbidden Dead Demon Consuming Seal!

That research genius Senju Tobirama had actually drawn inspiration from the contract the Uzumaki Clan signed with the Death God to create a soul-based technique capable of connecting to the Pure Land and summoning souls.

And this was merely the foundational basis for the Impure World Reincarnation.

Even more incredible was that he had created a control mechanism for the reincarnated souls, allowing him to command the dead to fight for him...

Yet, despite the technique being perfected, Senju Tobirama had abandoned it.

Ao felt puzzled.

He guessed that Senju Tobirama must have discovered something even more hidden, forcing him to give up this line of research.

Could it be that he had summoned his elder brother, Senju Hashirama, only to get beaten up?

That would explain why he stopped perfecting the Impure World Reincarnation.

Ao couldn't help but imagine the scene, and the corners of his mouth curled upward.

The long-dead Senju Hashirama suddenly resurrected, saw his younger brother's research heading down a twisted path, used love to reform him, and then dispelled the Impure World Reincarnation before returning to the Pure Land...

Perhaps only then would Senju Tobirama have abandoned his research into this forbidden jutsu.

In the "imperfect" notes on Impure World Reincarnation, Ao found a section describing the soul realm that mentioned the term "Pure Land."

This was the first time he had seen documentation proving the existence of the "Pure Land."

Senju Tobirama's brain was truly formidable!

It was highly probable that while he was alive, he had already perceived the Pure Land, or perhaps he had even visited it once.

Ao could almost believe it.

Otherwise, how could Senju Tobirama have found a way to summon the souls of the dead back from the Pure Land to create the Impure World Reincarnation?

At this moment, having finished reading all the data on Impure World Reincarnation, Ao's mind filled in the biggest mystery regarding the Uzumaki Clan's contract: why the original Death God would sign such a near-equal contract with the Uzumaki Clan.

This contract lacked any binding power and even seemed like the Death God was working for the Uzumaki Clan for free, with the only payment being a single soul each time.

For instance, the soul of Namikaze Minato compared to the soul of the Nine-Tails was not even in the same league.

Yet the Death God had chosen to act without hesitation.

He was far more reasonable than Manda, the nominal leader of the Ryūchi Cave.

Manda required a hundred blood sacrifices just to do a single favor for Orochimaru.

That creature, judging by his appearance, did not look like a benevolent being.

"Perhaps the Death God wasn't strong in the beginning..."

"Because of this contract, the Death God was slowly nurtured by the Uzumaki Clan."

"And the Uzumaki Clan worshipped the Death God of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal as a guardian deity... allowing it to slowly grow into a god at the soul level, perhaps even threatening the status of Old Man Six Paths in the Pure Land."

"No wonder they were the first to be wiped out; the Uzumaki Clan's research was far too advanced."

"I wonder if that stingy Old Man Six Paths had a hand in it."

Ao vaguely felt that he had guessed part of the truth behind the destruction of the Uzumaki Clan.

It was very likely related to the Death God of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.

As the best ally of Konoha, it was highly abnormal that they had allowed the Uzumaki Clan to be destroyed without making a single move.

One must remember that when the Uzumaki Clan was wiped out, the First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito, was still alive.

Senju Tobirama also possessed the Flying Thunder God, so with the power of Konoha at the time, saving the Uzumaki Clan would not have been difficult.

Unless there was a reason that forced Senju Tobirama to choose to sit by and watch, perhaps even with the tacit approval of Uzumaki Mito.

"Let's go! It's getting late, and Danzo might have realized what's happening..."

Orochimaru tucked the Kunai into his sleeve and spoke calmly.

He showed no sign of the impropriety of pocketing his disciple's spoils of war, acting as naturally as if he were drinking water.

"Yes, Master!"

Ao bowed his head in response, quickly gathered several items from the laboratory shelves, and followed behind Orochimaru.

He did not say anything more.

The two walked one after the other out of the laboratory, and upon returning to the main hall, Orochimaru dispelled the summoning jutsu, and the snake returned to Ryūchi Cave.

"Let's go, see you at Ryūchi Cave!"

Orochimaru formed a hand seal and turned his head to speak to Uchiha Ao, clearly very satisfied with his performance.

He didn't ask too many questions, was meticulous in his work, and had his own ideas.

He was becoming more and more to his liking.

Ao nodded, faintly sensing the call of Zuijinji.

After he gave his silent consent.

An inexplicable force arrived from the void, and he used all his mental willpower to carefully perceive the source of this power.

Suddenly, he felt the world spinning.

A special force enveloped his body, and his body involuntarily began to undergo an extraordinary... decomposition?

No... what was it exactly...

Before Ao could gather his thoughts, his vision suddenly went black, and he lost consciousness.

The next moment, when he regained consciousness, he was already in the clearing in front of the White Snake Sage's temple.

Zuijinji was looking at him with a worried expression.

Reverse Summoning Jutsu—

Interesting.

Ao's eyes brightened.

He silently savored the sensation he had just experienced.

He firmly etched it into his mind.

This might be the mystery of Space-Time Ninjutsu.

"Lord Orochimaru is waiting for you at his residence."

Zuijinji replied respectfully.

After Ao received the inheritance of the White Snake Sage, his status in Ryūchi Cave had risen significantly; he was now the third most important figure, second only to the White Snake Sage and Orochimaru.

The Three Princesses had all become much more respectful toward him.

"I understand."

Ao replied.

He knew the location of Orochimaru's residence; it was inside a cave in Ryūchi Cave, where a full set of research equipment had been left behind.

It had probably been prepared a long time ago.

However, there were no signs of it being used.

All the items were brand new.

When he arrived at the entrance of the cave, he discovered the figure of Manda, who was coiled at the door of Orochimaru's home, fast asleep with eyes closed, looking like a guard dog.

"Who is it?"

Manda sensed the gaze, suddenly raised its head, opened its pale yellow slit pupils, and looked at Uchiha Ao, its pupils shifting.

The aura of the Sage...

Is he one of Orochimaru's people?

I can't let this little brat lord over me.

"So you're the apprentice Orochimaru took in? You don't look like much of a thr... Ugh!"

Manda was just about to throw its weight around to suppress Uchiha Ao when it suddenly sensed something wrong, and then a needle-like, piercing pain surged through its head.

When it raised its head again, Manda discovered that Uchiha Ao had already left.

In its mind, the image of the other party's pair of scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan still lingered.

Uchiha monster... what a disgusting genjutsu!

Inside Orochimaru's residence.

After Ao pushed the door open and entered, he saw Orochimaru holding a scroll, sitting on a chair, and reading it with total immersion.

"You're back. Your strength has improved quite a bit; you've even mastered Wood Release..."

"I have a mission for you. I originally intended to go myself, but since the harvest this time was substantial and you have grown, I will leave it to you to handle!"

"There will be some trouble in Kirigakure soon. Help me go there and collect a few promising Kekkei Genkai seedlings."

"This mission carries a certain amount of risk. Are you willing to make this trip for me, Ao-kun..."

Orochimaru sensed the person arriving, looked up, put down the data on Impure World Reincarnation in his hand, and spoke.

It sounded like a request, but in reality, it was an order that could not be refused.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Ao nodded without the slightest hesitation.

He was currently in the position of an assistant researcher; whatever the boss said to do, he would do.

He had long since grown accustomed to this kind of life.

"Fine, I'll organize the details of this mission and bring them to you later. For now, go find yourself a summoning partner. Manda has plenty of promising candidates, so choose carefully."

Orochimaru rambled on for a few sentences, though his eyes never once left the scroll in his hands.

Having just returned, he had already begun a new round of forbidden jutsu research without a moment's rest.

Not even a model employee was as dedicated as Orochimaru.

Once he finished speaking, he paid no more attention to Uchiha Ao, his mind completely immersed in the data regarding Impure World Reincarnation.

This forbidden jutsu provided a wealth of inspiration for his research into eternal life, and with so many ideas in his head waiting to be implemented, he no longer had the time to properly mentor his disciple.

He had completely forgotten his initial plan to take Uchiha Ao to Kirigakure for some hands-on experience.